Pope Francis emphasized the vital role of harmony in diversity and called for the reinforcement of social justice and divine blessings as key pillars for promoting peace and well-being in Indonesia, a nation of vast cultural and religious diversity.
The Pope delivered his speech at the State Palace on September 4, attended by the president, civil society representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Pope Francis praised Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity), as a powerful reflection of the country's commitment to unity amid its cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity.
He affirmed that this harmony, built on mutual respect, serves as a foundation for fostering a just and peaceful society.
He highlighted the importance of interfaith dialogue as a tool to combat prejudice and build trust among different communities.
According to the pope, by promoting dialogue, Indonesia can effectively address challenges such as extremism and intolerance, which sometimes exploit religion to incite violence and division.
The pope also referenced the Preamble of Indonesia's 1945 Constitution, which underscores social justice and divine blessings as the cornerstones of the nation’s social order.
He remarked that the motto of his visit, "Faith, Fraternity, Compassion," resonates with these constitutional values and can inspire Indonesians in their everyday lives.
Amid global challenges, Pope Francis reminded his audience of the need for unity and harmony, stressing that peace is a direct result of justice.
He urged political leaders to prioritize human rights, sustainable development, and peace efforts both domestically and internationally.
In his closing prayer, the pope expressed his hope that Indonesia would continue to be blessed with peace and the wisdom to face future challenges with courage and resilience.
Pope Francis’s apostolic journey to the Asia-Pacific region in September 2024 includes visits to four countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.
Indonesia, the first stop on his itinerary, is hosting the pope from September 3 to 6.
This marks his longest apostolic visit since he began leading the Catholic Church 11 years ago, following in the footsteps of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II, who visited Indonesia in 1970 and 1989, respectively.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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